Can I collect a spousal benefit at age 62 and then delay and switch to my own benefit at my full retirement age?

Hello, If you are eligible for more than one Social Security benefit, when you apply you will be “deemed to be filing” for all the benefits you are eligible to collect and you will receive the higher amount. This means that you cannot take one benefit and delay collecting the other. You will receive your…

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When I switch from my husband’s survivor benefits to my own retirement benefit, will a month of payment be withheld?

Full question: I’m switching from my husband’s survivor benefits to my own and I want to know if they’re going to withhold a month. Hi there, No. When you switch from a survivor benefit to your own retirement benefit, the Social Security Administration will not withhold a month of payment. Take care, Martha

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Can my current spouse and/or ex-spouse collect spousal Social Security benefits based on my record?

Full question: If I was married for 17 years and now I’ve remarried and my current marriage is in the 15th year, who can claim spousal Social Security benefits, my current spouse or my divorced spouse? And my current spouse is 64 and collecting social security at this time. Can he collect from mine if…

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What should I do if the Social Security Administration is using the GPO against me despite having a foreign pension?

Full question: SSA are refusing to acknowledge that my U.K. pension does not trigger the GPO when I applied for survivor benefits. I have highlighted the relevant section to them. What should be my next step? Hi there, Foreign pensions are not considered as government pensions for purposes of the GPO provision, as specified in…

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Can my minor children collect Social Security benefits based on my ex-spouse’s earnings if he has not started collecting?

Full question: I meet all the qualifications to receive Social Security under my ex’s record. I plan on starting benefits at 62 because I have minor children. I can not figure out what the child benefit would be. 50% of my ex’s FRA will be $2000. I will have 2 minor children. If he has…

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Am I eligible to collect an ex-spousal benefit if my ex’s benefit is higher than mine?

Full question: I was married to my husband for 17 years and then divorced, can I draw my ex-husband benefit since his is higher than mine? Hi there, Yes, you may be eligible to collect benefits based on your ex-spouse’s earnings if you were married at least 10 years, are currently single, your ex-spouse is…

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